The Battle of Biak was a struggle between American and Japanese forces for control of Biak Island from 27 May to 20 August 1944. Reinforced elements of the US 41st Division conducted an amphibious assault, followed by jungle operations. Despite a vast superiority in numbers, fire support, and logistics, the Americans were unable to wipe out the last pockets of Japanese resistance until the operation was nearly three months old. (author)